Tag Archives: Menopause

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Vitamin E

Useful For:  Decrease in risk for hayfever, supports healing, good for skin and hair, increases heart health, regulates blood pressure.  As an antioxidant, it helps to protect against cancer.  It can also assist with lessening the effects of female hormonal issues (hot flashes and difficult menses).

Herbal Sources:  Alfalfa, Bladderwrack, Dandelion, Dong quai, Flaxseed, Nettle, Oatstraw, Raspberry Leaf, Rose Hips

Food Sources:  Wheat germ, whole grains, expeller-pressed vegetable oil, nuts and seeds, dark green leafy vegetables, sweet potatos, and brussel sprouts

Warnings:  High dosage Vitamin E (600-800 IU) should not be done without the oversight of a medical professional if you are on blood-thinners, have a bleeding disorder, or a Vitamin K deficiency.

 

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Blue Cohosh (Cauphyllum thalictroides)

Name:  Blue Cohosh

Latin:  Cauophyllum thalictroides

Other Common Names:

Family:

Parts Used:  Root/Rhizome

Vitamins/Minerals:

Used for:  Primarily useful during childbirth, it helps to stimulate the uterine muscles and dilate the cervix.  Antispasmodic and antirheumatic.  Strangely, it can help to avert later term miscarriages.  Helps to deal with the symptoms of menopause.

Use in tandem with:

Directions & Warnings:  Usage during pregnancy or labour should be supervised.

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Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa)

Name:  Black Cohosh

Latin:  Cimicifuga racemosa

Other Common Names:

Family:

Parts Used:  Root

Vitamins/Minerals:

Used for:  As a natural supplier of estrogen, black cohosh is an herb that is useful for a wide variety of female issues.  The research studies have focused primarily on its use for menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes, vaginal discomfort, and osteoporosis.  It also assists with incidences of menstrual migraines.  It is also useful for pms, assisting with a wide range of symptoms, and helping to ease painful menstruation.  It is useful during labour, facilitating effective contractions.  Also assists with the recovery after the child is born.  It is said to ease false labour pains, but overall I do not suggest using at all during pregnancy until labour has begun.

Use in tandem with:  Red Clover

Directions & Warnings:  Do not take this herb if you are pregnant or planning on becoming so.  Do not give this herb to children.  Also, if you begin having headaches after taking black cohosh, it is likely a sign that your estrogen levels are fine and you should use something else.  Sarsaparilla and Ginseng are decent substitutes.  Over 50 years of studied use in Germany have yielded no sign of toxicity, side effects, or drug interactions.

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White Willow

Name:  White Willow

Latin:

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Used for:  The herb, mixed with vinegar, is said to be effective against warts and corns.  During menopause, willowbark has been found to lower incidences of night sweats and hot flashes.  Willowbark can also be used to lower fevers.  However, the primary usage for willowbark is as a pain reliever.  Aspirin was created from a compound found within willowbark, and they have similar actions and effects.  There are benefits to using the herb rather than the pill.  For one, the other constituents of willowbark make it far gentler on the stomach, and though it takes a bit longer to act than aspirin, the effects are longer lasting, and generally more effective.

Use in tandem with:

Directions & Warnings:  Same as aspirin, although to a far lesser extent.

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Alfalfa

Name:  Alfalfa

Latin:  Medicago Sativa

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Family:

Parts Used:

Vitamins/Minerals:

Used for:  Alfalfa is a fairly deep rooted plant, and thus picks up trace minerals from the soil.  Because of this action, it can be used as a cover crop, and then some of it plowed under to doubly enrich the soil.  It contains essential digestive enzymes and amino acids.  It is quite rich in vitamins, and can be used as a tonic infusion for regular use, although the taste may be a little “green” for many.  It can be used as a blood thinner, and a detox herb.  Some athletes use it for increasing endurance and energy.  As alfalfa is one of the vitamin rich tonic herbs, it can be used to assist in a variety of conditions, as malnutrition or lacking in specific nutrients can make just about any condition worse.  Alfalfa is also a galactagogue, which means that it assists in increasing the production of milk while nursing.  It can also be used as a gentle substitute for estrogen after menopause.  There are also signs that it helps to maintain normal cholesterol levels.

Use in tandem with:

Uses for Pets:  Arthritis, blood disorders

Directions & Warnings:  None known

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Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca)

Name:  Motherwort

Latin:  Leonurus cardiaca

Other Common Names:  Herzgespan, Agripaume cardiaque, Yi mu cao

Family:  Compositae (Sunflower)

Parts Used:

Vitamins/Minerals:  Calcium

Used for:  Good for moderating hot flashes and regulating mood.  Also a very potent aid if you suffer from anxiety.  Motherwort is particularly useful as while it is calming, while not being sedating.  It also regulates and tones the thyroid, blood vessels, liver, heart, and uterus.  It also can ease uterine cramping.

Use in tandem with:

Directions & Warnings:  Unfortunately, motherwort has a distinctly unpleasant flavour, and is hard to utilize in teas or as a fresh green in salads.  The best methods for utilizing this herb are tinctures and syrups.

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Garlic (Allium sativum)

Name:  Garlic

Latin:  Allium sativum

Other Common Names:

Parts Used:  Bulb

Vitamins & Minerals:

Used for:  Garlic is one of the “magic” plants as far as its health effects and uses.  It mitigates the physical effects of stress.  It can lower high blood pressure.  A tea is good for sore throats, and can be used to lessen inflammation and infection in tonsilitis.  If used as a poultice on your chest (often in conjunction with onion), it can help with bronchitis and other chest ailments.  Along with being capable of lowering blood pressure, it can help to reduce your cholesterol, strengthen your heart, increase immune response, reduce stroke risk, and stabilize blood sugar.  Garlic and its relatives are a source of phytoestrogens, which not only reduce the risk of cancer, they can assist with the passage through menopause.  Garlic also has an antibiotic effect similar to penicillin, with the added benefit of not killing off the beneficial bacteria in the body.    Used in a cold poultice, it can help to lower swelling; as a hot poultice, can be used to help snakebites and wasp or hornet stings.  Crushed and packed in near a tooth, it can assist with toothache.  Most of the folkloric and historic beneficial effects of garlic have been proven scientifically.

Use in tandem with:  Hawthorn and Cayenne

Directions and Warnings:  As garlic is a natural blood-thinner, you should consult with a doctor before increasing the amount of garlic you consume, or using it in supplement form if you are on blood-thinning medication.